Freedom to Learn Advocates

What Freedom to Learn Advocates does

Freedom to Learn Advocates (FTLA) is a Cleveland, Ohio-based nonprofit advocacy organization founded in 2022 to promote universal access to books and educational resources and to resist book banning and censorship in US schools and libraries. The organization operates on a community-led go-to-market model, reaching supporters through its website, email newsletter, Facebook, Twitter/X (@FTLAdvocates), and Instagram, and converting them into donors and grassroots advocates. Its primary beneficiary segments are educators, school and public librarians, students, parents, authors, publishers, and booksellers affected by censorship campaigns, with a secondary focus on legislators and legal advocates aligned with intellectual freedom.

FTLA delivers its mission through a suite of advocacy services rather than technology products. These include grassroots organizing, a Legal Advocate Program structured around three committees (Legal Research and Litigation Support, Recruiting and Legal Alliances, and Litigation), a Model Right to Read Statute designed to create due-process rules for book challenges, an annual Banned Books & Libraries Under Attack Conference co-hosted with Cleveland State University College of Law, and ongoing newsletter and content updates. Leadership consists of Executive Director Rory Steele and Legal Director Katrice Williams. The organization does not sell products or services and operates without disclosed funding rounds or institutional investors.

Revenue is generated entirely through individual donations and contributions collected via a third-party contribution portal (secure.numero.ai), with donors positioned as "Founding Members" of an Advocacy Corps. FTLA has built a coalition with major national organizations including the American Library Association, PEN America, the National Coalition Against Censorship, the National Education Association, the Authors Guild, Red Wine & Blue, Campaign for Our Shared Future, Unite Against Book Bans, and the Pipeline Project, providing it with multi-stakeholder reach and shared advocacy infrastructure.

Name

Freedom to Learn Advocates

Legal name

Freedom to Learn Advocates

Website

https://ftla.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Freedom to Learn Advocates is a 501(c) nonprofit fighting book banning in US schools and libraries through grassroots organizing, legal advocacy, model legislation, and a coalition including ALA, PEN America, and NCAC.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Civic Advocacy and Intellectual Freedom

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Legal Services (8111)

akta.pro primary industry

Digital Rights, Privacy & Free Expression Advocacy (BPAGAFAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Civil Liberties & Constitutional Rights Advocacy (BPAGAFAA), Education Policy, Research & Advocacy Organizations (Nonprofit) (BPAGADAN)

Keywords

• Nonprofit advocacy services
• Anti-censorship advocacy
• Book ban opposition
• Legal advocacy programs
• Intellectual freedom promotion

Headquarters

HQ city

Cleveland

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donations and Contributions: FTLA generates revenue through individual donations and contributions from supporters who believe in their mission to fight book banning and censorship. The organization encourages financial support through their secure donation portal on their website, positioning donors as 'Founding Members' of their Advocacy Corps.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Freedom to Learn Advocates is a nonprofit advocacy organization that fights book banning and censorship in schools and public libraries across the United States. The organization provides grassroots organizing, a Legal Advocate Program that recruits volunteer attorneys to support affected educators, librarians, and families, and legislative advocacy around a model Right to Read statute. It funds allied organizations, mobilizes supporters, and engages in policy advocacy to promote universal access to books and educational resources.

Product overview

Freedom to Learn Advocates (FTLA) is a nonprofit advocacy organization, not a technology product company. The organization offers a suite of advocacy and support services focused on fighting book banning and censorship. These include grassroots organizing and advocacy efforts, a Legal Advocate Program with three specialized committees (Legal Research and Litigation Support, Recruiting and Legal Alliances, and Litigation), Model Right to Read Statute Legislation as policy advocacy, an annual conference (Banned Books & Libraries Under Attack Conference), and newsletter/email communication services. The organization does not offer software products, platforms, or technology-based solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Advocacy Services
• Legal Advocate Program

Quantifiable outcome

• 71% of voters oppose book ban efforts in public libraries; 67% oppose school library bans
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Cleveland State University College of LawcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 October 2024Co-host of the Banned Books & Libraries Under Attack Conference held on October 10, 2024. The event gathered advocates, educators, and legal professionals dedicated to defending intellectual freedom.
• Lerner BooksminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 10 October 2024Conference sponsor for the Banned Books & Libraries Under Attack Conference. Lerner Books is a book publisher that supports the fight against censorship.
• Red Wine & BluecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA partner organization in the fight against book bans. Red Wine & Blue focuses on mobilizing suburban women to advocate against book bans and promote inclusive education. Founder Katie Paris spoke at FTLA's Banned Books conference.
• Campaign for Our Shared FuturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAn allied organization working to resist book banning and protect educational rights. Listed as a partner in FTLA's coalition to defend intellectual freedom.
• Unite Against Book BanscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerA coalition partner organization dedicated to opposing book banning efforts in schools and libraries across the country.
• American Library Association (ALA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe American Library Association is a major partner in the intellectual freedom fight. FTLA works with ALA which tracks book challenges and bans through its Office for Intellectual Freedom.
• National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNCAC is a key partner organization that advocates against censorship and for free expression. FTLA collaborates with NCAC in their advocacy efforts.
• Pipeline ProjectminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerA partner organization in the coalition working against book banning and for intellectual freedom in education.
• PEN AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPEN America is a major ally that tracks book bans and provides research on censorship. They work with FTLA and provide data showing book ban statistics and advocate against restrictions.
• National Education AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe National Education Association is mentioned as an ally partner working to resist book banning and protect educators' rights.
• Authors GuildcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Authors Guild works with FTLA on legal matters related to book banning, including General Counsel Cheryl L. Davis who spoke at FTLA's conference about legal implications of censorship.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• GLAAD: An LGBTQ media advocacy organization that tracks and opposes book bans targeting LGBTQ+ content. Adjacent peer addressing overlapping subset of censorship issues FTLA fights.

Direct peers

• PEN America: A leading free expression organization that tracks book bans and advocates against censorship in schools. PEN America is an FTLA partner and a direct peer in book banning advocacy, with a broader free expression mandate.
• Authors Guild: The nation's oldest professional organization for published authors, providing legal resources and advocacy on free expression issues. An FTLA partner working on legal aspects of book banning.
• Red Wine & Blue: A grassroots organization mobilizing suburban women against book bans and for inclusive education. An FTLA partner and direct peer in anti-censorship organizing.
• Unite Against Book Bans: A coalition initiative, including ALA and others, specifically dedicated to opposing book banning in schools and libraries. Listed as an FTLA partner and a direct peer in book banning opposition.
• Campaign for Our Shared Future: A grassroots advocacy organization working to defend public education against book banning and curriculum restrictions. An FTLA partner and direct peer in education freedom advocacy.
• National Coalition Against Censorship (NCAC): A coalition of over 50 nonprofit organizations advocating against censorship in arts, literature, and media. NCAC is a direct peer to FTLA, working on intellectual freedom advocacy and is explicitly listed as an FTLA partner.
• EveryLibrary: A political action committee for libraries that supports funding and fights censorship at the local level. Direct peer to FTLA in library-focused advocacy and ballot initiative work.

Broad incumbents

• American Library Association (ALA): The largest U.S. library association, tracking book challenges through its Office for Intellectual Freedom. ALA is a direct FTLA partner and operates at much broader scale with full library industry focus.
• National Education Association (NEA): The largest U.S. teacher union, advocating for educators facing censorship pressures. Listed as an FTLA ally/partner and a broad incumbent in education advocacy.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/FTLAdvocates
• Facebookfacebook.com/Freedom-to-Learn-Advocates-103930459018768

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Freedom to Learn Advocates